Lane’s office was humble, given his title as CEO at Glam-O. It was the largest in the building but not by a substantial amount and it was cozy with comfortable chairs and couches. He gathered us all in a close circle around his coffee table and made us take our shoes off before sitting down.

He sat himself in one of the two big cushiony red chairs around the coffee table. I sat on a metal folding chair across from him with a note pad, pencil, and a copy of my newest article, hoping to god he would accept it into this month’s issue.

We started the meeting by taking three cleansing exhales and then Lane began firing off questions to each of us.

“Luis, what’s new this week?” He opened his shoulders towards Luis’ direction and shot him a look from over his rectangle-framed glasses.

Luis sat cross-legged on the floor, his tiny body wedged perfectly between the couch and the coffee table. “I’m finished with Sex Virus. It’s a horrible story about a new STD that is sweeping through omegas,” he paused than put out his hand in a hushing motion, “oh but don’t worry everyone, it’s actually rather upbeat,” he made sure to inform us.

“Now I’m starting on His Fake Knot. It will be a series of terrifying stories from omegas, telling us all about their alpha’s fake knots. All very scary, but actually at the same time, rather upbeat.” He raised the pitch in his voice when he said upbeat.

I accidently caught eyes with Michael and Jean and tried not to burst into hysterics. Luis’ columns were always incredibly horrifying tall tales that always ended up ‘surprisingly upbeat!’

Lane nodded in compliance with Luis’ upcoming articles. Than he sharply turned to me, “And Andy? What’s next with the How To column?” He flicked his bushy salt and pepper hair away from his face.

I looked up, ready to spit my piece on children’s education. “Well,” I shifted in my seat and rolled back my shoulders, “it’s more of a political piec…”

I was cut off immediately when the words political flew out of my mouth.

“Andy, this is Glam-O, not National Geographic or The Times. I’ve told you before, if your writing creates a following then I will allow you to branch out to political pieces, but right now we need what sells.”

I nodded politely in acknowledgment even though I was dying inside. It would take me ages to make a name for myself if I had to wait for Lane’s approval.

“Okay, next…” Lane looked around the circle, eyes landing on Michael, “Michael, what do you have for us today?”

“I didn’t get the chance…I’m…”

“He’s going through a break-up,” Jean cut in.

“Oh no.” Lane cried out in sympathy. “Well you’re looking good. He’s looking good, right everyone?” He glanced around the room nodding at everyone for their agreement and the room lit up with second hand compliments. Yes great. Looking good. So handsome. Totally. Great suit.

Michael smiled sheepishly.

“So what do we do when heartaches happen?” Lane asked the room rhetorically, “We write about them, create something from our pain and misery.”

“Oh no, I don’t think I can write about it,” Michael said looking concerned.

“Okay. Who can write about Michael’s heartbreak, anyone?”

Luis’ hand shot up in the air. “Oh, definitely!”

Jean, Michael and I all exchange mortified looks with one another. I could tell Michael did not want his dating life turned into one of Luis’ horrifying, yet upbeat, tall tales for the magazine.

I had to save him from this one, “I can!” Lane turned his attention towards me so I ran with it despite Michael’s I’m going to kill you look he shot in my direction.

“Well, think about it,” I told the room trying desperately to come up with something on the spot. “Michael is a handsome, successful, and kind hearted omega.” Everyone in the room nodded along. I paused for a moment to figure out where I was going with this. “But Michael has a hard time holding on to an alpha and there are certain things Michael does… well certain things all omegas do really. Things that maybe us as omegas don’t really know we’re doing wrong.”

I looked around the room to make sure everyone was following. “So for my column I could start by dating a guy. Then I’ll do all the things us omegas do that drive alphas away.”

Lane looked intrigued. “I love! It will be a how to date in reverse. What not to do. You can call it, How To Lose An Alpha In 10 Days.”

I was satisfied with that creation, “But why 10 days?” I asked to clarify.

“Because seven is too short and we go to press in twelve,” Lane responded plainly.

I shrugged in accordance and watched Michael mouth Thank you to me from the sofa.

We exited the staff meeting, giddy to start our new projects. Michael grabbed my arm, “Oh my god, Andy, you saved my life back there.”

“Well,” I gave his rusty red hair a shake, “you can repay me by buying me a drink tonight because we’re going alpha hunting!” We all giggled demonically at the thought of luring some poor alpha into dating me only to drive him away in just 10 days.

Lane was in front of us, leading us down the steps as we all filed into the reception of Glam-O chatting about this month’s new issue.

Two tall, slender omegas with manicured nails and crew cuts stood at reception, taking Lane’s attention away from the three of us. “Oh good, my three o’clock,” Lane said as he checked his wristwatch and greeted the omegas. “Jody, John, how are you?” He gave them both a warm welcoming hug followed by introductions.

The slightly taller omega with green eyes, introduced as Jody, beamed with excitement when he heard my name.

“Andy Anderson of the How To column?” He said as he shook my hand. “I just love, love, love, your column. How To Fake Your Omega Scent was the funniest thing I’ve ever read!”

“Thank you, thank you.” I smiled, appreciating that people were interested in my column even if it wasn’t what I wanted to be writing about.

“What are you working on now?” He asked curiously.

Before I had the chance to say anything Lane cut in between us, “He’s working on a fabulous new experiment actually. It’s going to be called How To Lose An Alpha In 10 Days. He is actually going to start dating an alpha and then try to drive him away in just 10 days using all the classic mistakes omegas make.”

John, the shorter of the two omegas with brown eyes laughed, “That sounds absolutely wicked!”

“I can’t wait,” Jody expressed, lifting his brows in a devilish manner. “Good luck to you, and good luck to the alpha you pick!” We all laughed out loud at Jody’s comment.